Behind every transformative policy is a researcher who understands the ground realities, and George Boateng is one of them. As a Senior Policy Analyst at the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET), George brings deep expertise in agriculture, trade, food security, and production economics to the forefront of Africa’s policy conversations.
In this Q&A, he shares insights into his work shaping more inclusive and resilient production systems, the importance of connecting research to action, and how agriculture and trade must work together for the continent to thrive. Whether modeling policy options, analyzing market data, or collaborating with governments, George’s work is driven by a clear goal: to make valuable evidence impactful.
He also reflects on what it means to do research in and for Africa, what inspires him, and a few lighter moments that reveal the person behind the policy briefs.
Q: What does your role entail, and how does your work connect to the organization’s broader mission of economic transformation?
A: As a Senior Policy Analyst at ACET, I combine qualitative and quantitative analysis, field research, and policy engagement to design actionable solutions that strengthen Africa’s agriculture and food systems and trade links. My day-to-day work ranges from analyzing firm-level production economics and market dynamics to translating technical findings into clear recommendations for policymakers, industry leaders, and development to enable inclusive economic transformation. This involves helping producers earn more, markets function better, and governments make informed investment and regulatory choices that accelerate sustainable growth.
Q: Can you walk us through a project you’re currently working on, or one you’re particularly proud of? What impact do you hope it has?
A: One project I’m especially proud of was a regional effort to reduce non-tariff barriers and improve value-chain performance in the cotton, textiles, and apparel sectors across multiple African countries. We used firm-level surveys, customs data analysis, and targeted stakeholder consultations to identify the main issues, including standards-compliance costs, clearance delays, and logistics bottlenecks. We then designed a prioritized package of policy and operational reforms. The goal was clear and measurable: to lower costs for producers and exporters, expedite clearance with fewer demurrage incidents, and strengthen more direct connections between smallholders, processors, and regional markets, thereby capturing more value on the continent.
Q: What does a typical workday look like for you?
A: There isn’t really a “typical” day, but a representative one might include running a sensitivity analysis in the morning, drafting a policy brief or short note before lunch, and holding stakeholder calls in the afternoon, perhaps with a ministry team, a private firm, or local researchers or with colleagues. I regularly review data from national statistics, market sources, and field teams, and a good portion of the day is spent converting technical results into short, actionable messages for policymakers and practitioners.
Q: How does the extensive work you’ve done on production economics translate into policy that works for producers and governments alike?
A: Production economics helps us measure the real-world trade-offs of policy choices. In plain terms, it shows who wins and who loses. For example, it can tell us whether a subsidy, a tariff change, or an investment in irrigation will raise yields, change how much fertilizer or water farmers use, and ultimately affect their incomes. It can also show how trade measures, like removing an export tax or reducing non-tariff barriers, will change farmgate prices, open new markets, or shift profits toward traders instead of producers. I turn those findings into practical, doable policies: clear, costed recommendations, phased roll-out plans, and simple indicators to track who benefits. By grounding proposals in farm-level data and actual market conditions, the ideas are easier for governments to adopt and more likely to deliver real improvements for producers.
Q: Trade and agriculture are often treated as separate conversations, but how do you see them intersecting in your research?
A: Trade and agriculture are two sides of the same coin. Agricultural productivity creates tradable surpluses, and trade policy determines whether those surpluses find profitable markets. In my work, I examine how trade costs such as tariffs, non-tariff measures, logistics, and standards affect incentives, input markets, and the competitiveness of firms. My research pushes for integrated policy packages, investments in productive capacity combined with trade facilitation and regional cooperation, so value is added on the continent rather than exported as raw commodities.
Q: In your view, what would a truly transformed production and agricultural sector look like across Africa in the next 10 to 15 years?
A: A fully implemented AfCFTA within a decade would connect agriculture to continental trade. Predictable rules and fewer barriers would enable farmers and processors to access larger markets, boosting investment in seed systems, input delivery, and local processing. This would lead to higher yields, stronger demand, and lower trade costs, expanding cross-border value-adding activities. Small and medium enterprises and cooperatives would also gain better access to finance, storage, and logistics. Policy frameworks supporting sustainable practices and infrastructure would turn AfCFTA’s promise into real benefits for producers, processors, and governments.
Q: How do you ensure that the research you produce is actionable and relevant to policymakers?
A: I focus on three things: clarity, viable options, and engagement. Research outputs are short, focused, and include concrete policy options with timelines. We test recommendations through stakeholder engagement to validate feasibility. Finally, I present findings in policy briefs and short presentations tailored to decision-makers’ needs, not as academic pieces but as tools they can use right away.
Q: What role does data play in your work, and where do you see the most significant gaps or opportunities when it comes to agricultural and trade statistics in Africa?
A: Good data is the foundation of smart policy. It moves us from anecdotes to evidence, showing clearly who gains and who loses from any change. Reliable, interoperable, and gender-disaggregated data, from satellites to digital transactions to better customs records, is essential to design targeted, equitable agricultural and trade policies that deliver results. In this domain, Africa must do better.
Q: What new tools or methods are you excited to explore in your work, whether it’s data modeling, AI, or participatory research?
A: I’m excited about combining machine learning with traditional economic modeling, for example, using remote sensing and machine learning to improve yield estimates and linking those to value-chain models. Agent-based models that capture firm and farmer behavior are good for stress-testing policy options. I’m also interested in participatory data collection tools that let us gather higher-frequency ground data and test interventions rapidly in authentic contexts.
Q: What’s one policy issue in agriculture or trade that you think deserves way more attention than it currently gets?
A: Non-tariff barriers deserve much greater attention. Technical regulations, standards, and inefficient clearance procedures often add more to costs than tariffs do, and these disproportionately hurt small producers and nascent processors. Tackling these frictions through regional harmonization, better risk-based inspections, and investments in testing and certification capacity can unlock competitiveness much faster than traditional supply-side interventions alone.
Q: Finally, if you had to describe your research style or approach in three words, what would they be?
A: Pragmatic, Evidence-driven, Collaborative.
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